SLR digital cam reviews...

[waterinthefuel]

I bought a digital cam about 8 years ago based on a consumer reports review. It was not a regretted purchase, as I still to this day use that camera.

I'd just like to upgrade. It's a 1megapixel cam and I'd like an SLR camera with at least 8megapixels. I've goggled the reviews and can't seem to find one with a list as clear as consumer reports format.

I'd like to spend no more that 600-650 bucks, to give you an idea of my spending limits.

Also, anybody know if just buying a digital camcorder capable of taking photos would be a better choice for the money?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: SLR digital cam reviews...

There are really 2 good ones on the market (IMO). The Nikon and the Canon. I have a Canon SLR and I love it and it uses compact flash media cards. There are + and - to both but they seem to work the best. My canon has the additional battery pack so it runs 2 batteries at once.

As far as a digital, I have been using a Nikon that has taken over 12,000 pictures and I am still using the same rechargable battery.

I also purchased a nice point and shoot Nikon for the wife that she now takes everywhere.

My brother is an independant Professional Photographer who has been in the business for 20+ years and he shoots both Canon and Nikon.

My sister is also a professional and she manages all the Six Flags, Busch Gardens, Sea Worlds and many more places for photography..... They use Nikon. Other brands had been tried but the Nikon's held up best.

If you do go to a digital SLR just be sure to get a fast media card. They come in speeds and you want the fastest and biggest card you can afford aroung 1 Gig or better. The SLR needs the fast cards to keep up with the large images.

As far as Digital Camcorders they will not give you the photo resolution you desire. The DVD writers are the best but the still images do not compare.

Look into the Canon Rebel or the Nikon D-50 both reasonable in price.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: SLR digital cam reviews...

Thanks Bob. I'd looked at both of those and couldn't decide which was better, they both looked great!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: SLR digital cam reviews...

I have the Canon and I am very happy!!

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: SLR digital cam reviews...

In the professional world only two camera makes exist, Canon and Nikon. For the money, I like the Canon Rebel XTi. Excellent entry level DSLR, easy to use, takes great photos, TONS of support and lens choices. The only way I would consider any other brand is if I already had a significant investment in lenses and didn't want to start over. The Rebel can be had for about $700.

 

[OLDSPUD]

Re: SLR digital cam reviews...

I have both, a Cannon 20-D and a Nikon D-50. Both are now older versions. Buying a digital SLR is like buying anything electronic, the day you buy it, something new comes out.

I love both, I lean more to the Nikon. In fact I will probably upgrade to a newer Nikon this year.

The len's are a huge factor and I seem to lean toward the Nikon.
I put a Tameron 28-200 on my Cannon and it works quite well. That lens alone was like $600.00, and it was on the lower end.

For your price range, I like the new Cannon Rebel. It is plenty of camera for hacks like me, but in my mind I think the more the money, maybe the better the picture.

It is more like the better you know your camera the better the picture. These things are very complicated and you need to practice and read all you can.

I have struggled with the white balance, I simply need to spend more time getting to know my equipment.

Another disadvantage is the size of the camera. They are bigger and weigh more than the samller ones like the Sony my wife uses. In fact she can sometimes can come up with better shots than I. So make sure you wanna go with one of these SLR's over a smaller digital.

Her Sony was around $400.00 and it is one hell of a easy, good camera. I think it has 8 mega pixels.

I gave a Pentax SLR to my daughter, I think it was a D-100 or something, it has 6. something mega pixels, and she loves it. It was around $600.00.

Depending on what you want to do with your shooting, there are many options. This Pentax I bought was rated very high with Amazon users, so is the smaller Sony, and the Nikon and Cannon.

These cameras are all on the lower end on what you can spend.

I will never go back to film, unless I go nto some wild manuel shooting, I think there is a little more flexability with film is some instances.

If your interested I have 3 great film cameras that work extremly well, I have Minolta and Cannon's, but film is a pain in the backside to process and use.

I have been shooting pictures both for fun and for hire for around 35 years, and I love digital.

Spud